The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) hosted in Manila a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing compliance and safety in ship recycling across Asia.
Marina Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan said that the sub-regional workshop by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a “crucial step” in advancing the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which is set to enter into force on June 26, 2025.
The HKC seeks to ensure that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety or to the environment.
“This workshop provides us with the vital opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Hong Kong Convention, which aims to ensure that ship recycling is conducted with maximum safety and minimal environmental impact,” Malaluan said.
She underscored the HKC’s objectives to protect human health and uphold environmental standards in an industry marked by complex hazardous waste management.
The workshop, which began on Nov. 6, combined interactive discussions, technical presentations, and real-world exposure.
The agenda covered critical aspects of the HKC including the inventory of hazardous materials, ship recycling facility standards, authorization processes, and European Union (EU) regulations on ship recycling.
Topics on related conventions such as the Basel Convention on hazardous waste, were also included, offering a comprehensive look at the global framework shaping the industry.
Mr. Jun Sun, IMO technical officer, highlighted the broader impact of the HKC around the world as he described it as a “pivotal advancement toward responsible ship recycling.”
“To implement the Hong Kong Convention effectively, we must consider both environmental and occupational safety challenges. This workshop strengthens the technical foundation needed by government officials and industry players to meet the demands of safe, sustainable ship recycling,” he said.
On the second day of the workshop, participants toured ship recycling yards in Navotas City to observe firsthand the practical aspects of recycling operations and HKC compliance measures.
The last day featured an in-depth exploration of IMO-led technical cooperation and country-specific practices in implementing the HKC.
Representatives from major ship recycling countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines contributed insights on existing challenges and shared best practices during the workshop.
Interactive discussions also addressed gaps in current compliance efforts, with a focus on developing sustainable solutions to align with the HKC’s standards.